Neil Burger‘s “All the Old Knives” will serve as the first project from the independent studio recently launched by The Mark Gordon Company and Entertainment One, the companies announced Monday.
The studio unites The Mark Gordon Company’s creative and production expertise with eOne’s established global distribution and financing infrastructure.
“Divergent” filmmaker Burger is attached to direct from a script by Olen Steinhauer, who adapted the screenplay from his novel of the same name.
Nick Wechsler will produce with Chockstone Pictures partners Steve Schwartz and Paula Mae Schwartz, while Chockstone’s Roger Schwartz will serve as a co-producer. Casting is expected to begin immediately, with principal photography expected to commence by the end of the year.
“All the Old Knives” is a thriller that takes place in the idyllic town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, where two ex-lovers — one CIA spy and one ex-CIA spy — meet to reminisce over dinner. They relive their memories of the disastrous hijacking of Royal Jordanian Flight 127, which ended in the death of all onboard, a failure that haunts the CIA’s Vienna station to this day. The question is whether Henry has come to dinner to rekindle the romance or to get to the bottom of a conspiracy. It also becomes clear that one of the ex-lovers may not survive the meal.
“We’re all thrilled to be working together on a project The New York Times called ‘an unusually wily spy novel’ and the Washington Post said ‘focuses intensely on the treacherous landscapes of the human heart.’ We can’t wait to cast our extraordinary spy lovers,” the producers said in a joint statement. “It’s a privilege being part of the first project of an important new endeavor, especially with an old friend, Mark Gordon, and new friends Entertainment One.”
“Our independent studio is focused on attracting top creative talent and providing them with the resources, support and flexibility to bring their stories to audiences around the world. We are excited to see such strong partners come together on ‘All the Old Knives’ and are looking forward to working with Neil, Olen, Nick, Steve and Paula Mae, to bring it to life,” said Gordon.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Mark, Nick, Steve, Paula Mae and the eOne team on this project,” said Burger. “As a director, I love that this story is a tightly woven puzzle, a mystery involving counter-terrorism and also a mystery of the human heart. Best of all are the two very clever and calculating characters at the center of the story who are dealing with issues of loyalty, sacrifice and a lot of sexual tension. I can’t wait to start casting them.”
“We are excited to be involved in such a compelling project and are looking forward to starting production this year. ‘All the Old Knives’ is the perfect kick off to our venture with Mark, and we are very pleased to distribute the film in our territories and with partners worldwide. This is the first of many successful collaborations to come where our global financing and distribution footprint supports Mark’s efforts to bring great films to market,” said Steve Bertram, president of eOne’s global film group.
eOne will handle worldwide distribution on “All the Old Knives” and will directly distribute the film in all of its territories including Canada, the U.K., Spain, Benelux, Australia and New Zealand.